Farmers, fishers to receive P3,000 fuel subsidy 'in the next few days' —DA exec

An official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said farmers and fishermen will receive a P3,000 fuel subsidy each from the government to ease the impact of the series of fuel price hikes on their livelihood.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the department is working with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for the distribution of the cards that will be used by the beneficiaries in the next few days.

“Patuloy po yung pakikipag-usap namin sa ka-partner namin na DBP para maisaayos agad yung pamimigay po ng mga card na may laman pong P3,000 para po maipamahagi po natin sa mga susunod na araw,” he said.

(We are coordinating with our partner DBP to straighten out the distribution of cards with P3,000 in the next few days.)

De Mesa said that aside from the initial P500 million, another P600 million have been added to the budget for the fuel subsidy for farmers and fishermen.

From the P500-million fund, De Mesa said around 160,000 farmers and fishers will benefit. According to him, the DA also expects another P3,000 fuel subsidy to be given to beneficiaries in April for the second tranche.

Farmers and fishers should be included in the DA’s Registry System to be eligible for the fuel subsidy, De Mesa said. He advised those who are not listed yet to coordinate with their respective Municipal or City Agriculturist's Office. —KBK, GMA News